MADISON RAE
The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifted up the stairs, rich and warm, tugging me reluctantly from sleep — or what little sleep I had managed last night. My head was pounding. I hadn't even opened my eyes yet, and I already felt tired.
I'd barely fallen asleep at all. My mind had replayed last night's event on a loop — the stares, the whispers, the camera flashes. And of course… the moment in my room when Alex unclasped my necklace, his hands so close, his voice low, teasing.
Even now, thinking about it sent a pulse of heat to my neck.
I shook it off and forced myself out of bed.
Throwing on a cream-colored cardigan over my satin tank top and pajama pants, I padded barefoot down the hallway and stairs, hoping — stupidly — that maybe today would feel less surr
